Thought you've been in bad traffic before, huh?....

[Elliott18t]

Originally Posted by www.huffingtonpost.com, AP

(AP) BEIJING -- A massive traffic jam in north China that stretches for dozens of miles and hit its 10-day mark on Tuesday stems from road construction in Beijing that won't be finished until the middle of next month, an official said. (Scroll down for photos)

Bumper-to-bumper gridlock spanning for 60 miles (100 kilometers) with vehicles moving little more than a half-mile (one kilometer) a day at one point has improved since this weekend, said Zhang Minghai, director of Zhangjiakou city's Traffic Management Bureau general office.

Some drivers have been stuck in the jam for five days, China Central Television reported Tuesday. But Zhang said he wasn't sure when the situation along the Beijing-Zhangjiakou highway would return to normal.

The traffic jam started Aug. 14 on a stretch of the highway that is frequently congested, especially after large coalfields were discovered in Inner Mongolia, Zhang said. Traffic volume has increased 40 percent every year.

PHOTOS of China's ongoing traffic jam:


Drivers stranded in the gridlock in the Inner Mongolia region and Hebei province, headed toward Beijing, passed the time sleeping, walking around, or playing cards and chess. Local villagers were doing brisk business selling instant noodles, boxed lunches and snacks, weaving between the parked trucks on bicycles.

Though there were no reports of road rage violence, drivers complained about price-gouging by villagers who were their only source of food and water. A bottle of water that normally costs 1 yuan (15 cents) was selling for 10 yuan ($1.50), while the price of a 3 yuan- (45 cent-) cup of instant noodles had more than tripled, media reports said.

"A boxed lunch is 10 yuan ($1.50), and one box isn't enough for me," China National Radio cited a driver surnamed Lu as saying. "I'm spending up to 50 yuan (about $7.50) a day on food. It's more expensive than eating in a restaurant."

The highway construction in Beijing that is restricting inbound traffic flow and causing the jam "will not be finished until Sept. 17," Zhang said.

Authorities were trying to speed up traffic by allowing more trucks to enter Beijing, especially at night, Zhang said. They also asked trucking companies to suspend operations and advised drivers to take alternate routes.

China's roadways are increasingly overburdened as the number of private vehicles booms along with commercial truck traffic hauling materials like coal and food to cities. Traffic slowdowns because of construction and accidents are common, though a 10-day traffic jam is unusual even in China.

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/0..._n_692381.html

[Got Insulin?]

Holy crap. That's rediculous!

[jesse096]

Mother of all traffic jams...

-Jesse

[Got Insulin?]

I wonder if there's a bunch of hoodrats walking up and down the lines trying to sell water bottles, candy, soda, and pretzels.

That's what I'd be doing.

(sidebar) Motorcycles FTW.


EDIT:
Ah, reading the full article > me.

[Bates]

Originally Posted by Got Insulin?

I wonder if there's a bunch of hoodrats walking up and down the lines trying to sell water bottles, candy, soda, and pretzels.

That's what I'd be doing.

(sidebar) Motorcycles FTW.

Yes, there are. And at inflated prices at that.

[Elliott18t]

Originally Posted by Bates

Yes, there are. And at inflated prices at that.

inflated to them.... $1+ water is normal here. :P

[ASIAN JUL]

God damn. I can't imagine being stuck in my car for 5 days!

[jesse096]

What happens if you need to go to the bathroom? Just hop out and smash a load in your trunk?

-Jesse

[Bates]

Originally Posted by jesse096

What happens if you need to go to the bathroom? Just hop out and smash a load in your trunk?

-Jesse

I think it is pretty much Thunderdome after 5-9 days in your car. Do you think anyone is going to care if you are popping a squat on the side of the road at that point?

[boostjunky]

Originally Posted by Elliott18t

inflated to them.... $1+ water is normal here. :P

And you wouldn't be pissed if you had to pay $10.00 for a bottle?

[Elliott18t]

well of course, its all relative. I havent seen anything cost 15 cents here ever I think. The other night I think i actually saw a notebook cost that @_@

[DriftCrash]

god damn mongolians always messing up city traffic

[ambitiousCK]

lol thats ridiculous

[DC2.2GSR]

Originally Posted by DriftCrash

god damn mongolians always messing up city traffic

that's awesome, but don't you mean "sh*tty traffic"? hahaha


well this is the best possible description of a non-TEOTWAWKI (google it lol) bug-out scenario. if this doesn't perfectly explain the reason to have a vehicle B.O.B. at all times, not sure what will. at any given time i have 3 gallons of water and enough food to have a very full stomach for 3 days. those supplies could very easily last a week or longer in a pinch. not to mention, all that i need to fend for myself and make a trip on foot.

hang out in traffic for 10 days? no chance in hell. wait it out as long as is reasonable, then GTFO. staying in a situation like that is just asking for trouble.

[fightinchunk]

Originally Posted by DriftCrash

god damn mongolians always messing up city traffic

buahahahaha

[w3ki11suckers]

lmao...

[jncarnagez]

Originally Posted by DriftCrash

god damn mongolians always messing up city traffic

LOL.......with bumper to bumper traffic like that their engines must be over heating

[just a 98 neon]

dude that is so bad

[BkCressida1718]

would suck having a 6 puck in that lol

[i_ride_fieroGT]

I dont think any of us can legitimetley say we could put up with this.